conrad



N. J. CONRAD March 4, 1930. n Re. 17,611

original Filed Dec. 12. 1925 B sheets-sheet 1 SWTTCH,

Maren 4, 1930. N. J- CONRAD Re.A 17,611

.'origina1 F'i1ed 1360.12. 1925 s sheets-sheet 2 l me ffy

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N. ONRAD March 4, 1930. J C Re. 17,611

SWITCH originai Filed Deo. 12, 1925 s sheets-sheet 's 1 4 N wf 1m ia? R m d 8 @yr N m m D w A mun@ 2O www W M uw W e 6 r ...w Sm W, :fx/w N. W, .ZW m. W M -6 a um w o uw f w 1, fw f .m o Q ,Ww a if M w N. Jv. C-ONRAD I March 4, 1930. I Re. 17,611

SWITCH Original Filed Deo. 12. 1925 8 SheeLs--SheelI 6 f JQ@ N. J. CONRAD v SWITCH 1925' s sheets-sheet Qez r" f /Vz'colag Qf'dnraf/ la I original Filed Dec'. 12

March 4, 1930.

*U/{WSSHSJ 4 (N. J. CONRAD March 4, 1930.

SWITCH riginalv Filed Deo. 12. 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 'named Mu. 4, 1930 UNITED; STATES rATENT ori-'ica NICHOLAS J'. Oom, OE Wm, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TOSCHWEITZm d: Gom,

OF CHICAGO, ELINOIS, A CORPORATION OF l-IIIILLIENOIS original n. 1,631,012, dma lay a1, 1927, semi n. 74,930, ma necember 12, 1112s. application for reissue led April 29, 1929. Serial My invention relates to switches, and more particularly of the class which is employed for interrupting current i'low .in openair.

While the `particular embodiment which I 5 have elected to illustrate herein is an air break'switch, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited to air break switches but may be employed for breaking'the circuit in other media than air.

Consider an alternating current arc Vdrawn between 'a stationary electrode `and a moving electrode. Twice each cycle vfthe current in this are has an instantaneous value of zero and during this instant they gas in the gap 15 betweenlfthe electrodes lbecomes partially del ionized.. A short instant later the voltage has a finite and increasing value in accordance with the usual sine law. If the rate of deionization is so great that the voltage across p zo .the contact does not reach a` value sutlicient to break down the gap, the arc ges out, otherwise the arc will continue for another halfy Y cycle when the process will-whe repeated. It

has been shown that in air deionization to an extent necessa to withstand the firstl few hundred volts 1s recovered almost instantly but later increments 'of dielectric strength are recovered at a much slower rate. The rate of deionization is determined by a large number of factors of which may be mentionedthe size and shape of the electrodes, the distance between the electrodes, and the temperature and pressure of the region at the gap, and by controlling any of these factors the deionization may be increased.

.It is one of the objects of thepresent invention to provide a high voltage s'witch wherein the main contacts are separated in air and the current flow through thecircuit is then interrupted at a pointother than'the main contact, provision being made to extinguish the arc more quickly and conveniently than it would be extinguished if the separation ofthe main contacts were relied upon to exti ish it.I The switch is pro: vided with arcing contacts so that u ing the main contacts an .arc is rawn between the'arcing contacts andy when these contacts have beenfseparat'ed by such an amount that the dielectric strength of the the -1 shunted by a fuse of high rate of' on operY 'having high are extinguishing properties.

One of the features fof improvement in present invention is theemployment of?) an electric fuse preferably of high current l interrupting capacity as a means for su pressing the arc that would otherwise Ee formed at the main switch contacts` by separation of 'such contacts.

` I am. aware that a fuse of this character has employed in a similar situation for suppressing the are which would other- Wise be drawn at the main switch contacts, asv shown, for example, in thepatent to. Schweitzer, No. 1,211,967, of January 9, 1917, in which the main contacts of the switch are current interruptinstant when the 1'.

ing capacity either at the y thereafter,

contacts are separated or short asshowninsaid, atent. Accordingto t e present invention,` the vswitching contacts are separated by emotion which first tends them and which to drawa arc between thereafterf shunts the arc with the fuse fora period suicient t establish a circuitl throng the fuse and to suppress the arc at the mam contacts, and then the main contacts continue their separating movement to include a further break between them and between one of those contacts and the fuse contact or terminal.

The spacin of the auxiliary fuse vcontact may be suita 1y controlled and the inductance and resistance of the fuse circuit may be so proportioned as to secure aisuitable se quence of operations.

Th's idea maybe embodied in a variety of different forms and I have shown two forms, one in k'which there area stations contact and a' .movable switch Contact wit an adjacent stationary fuse contact. The movable switch contact leaves the stationary switch contact and in its ath ofmo'vement to .separate the two, it mages temporary contactI with the fuse contct and then continues its movement. In. another embodiment which lI have shown,'there vare a sta;-l tionary switch contact and a movable switch l@ g contact and a ymovable fuse contact. The

movable switch coiitact leaves the stationary switch contact, throwing the fuse into the circuit across the arc and .then the fuse contact is moved to separate the fuse contact from the stationary switch contact, the movable switch contact continuing .its opening movement:

YThe same idea `is contained in each, the difference being i-n the parts which move, relativeto each other.

Incidentally, I have provided in the two 1 main embodiments which I have mentioned,

certain other improvements, oneof which is the use of a magazine or fusesfor permitting of a Iplurality of operations of the switch Without renewal `of the fuses. I have also shown in the second embodiment certain iiny provements in switches relating to the locking means therefor, the quick break mechanismtherefor, the contact mechanism there for, and other features which will be ap- :parent` from the detailed description.

Now, inuorder to acquaint those skilled Yin the artwith the manner of constructing and operating `a device embodying my invention, I shall described in connection with the accompanying drawings two specific embodiments f the invention.

. In the drawings, 4 Fig. 1 isa side elevationl view of a switch embodying my present invention; i

Fig. 2 is a diagram of connections and mode lof operationof the same;

Fig. 2A is a diagram ofconnections and mode of operation of a -modified formA of switch; i

Fig. 3 is atop plan view of -the switch shown in Fig. 1'; s ff" Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view partly in sectioiishowing the operating crankd for moving the movable switch Contact;

`Fig. 5 is a side elevational view partly in section, showing the operating mechanism for changing the fuses in the magazine for successiveoperations of the switch;

Fig; 6 is a ffragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing `thel means for moving the selector contact of the fuse magazine;

Fig. 7 is a similar fragmentary section taken on the'line 7-7Vof Fi .M5 ;y

Fig. 8V is a'plan view o the stationary f switch contact shlwing one of the movable theswitclies of this character;

gether Fig. 14 is a rear side elevational view of` the switch shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. l15 is an end elevation of the switch as viewed from the left end'of Fig. 14;`

Fig. 16 is a crosssectional view taken through .the'horizontal axis ofthe rear end of the switch;

Fig. 17 yis a fragmentary ,sectional view taken on the line 17,-17 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a section through the switch taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 13; and f Fig. 19 is afragmentary view of a contact for the switch bar bearing thc fuse for use in a'inodified rembodiment vof the switch shown iii Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive.

Referring now to in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, a base member 20 provides a support for two stationary insulators 21 and 22 and a rotating or oscillating insulator 23 adapted to be rocked on its own vertical shaft. A bridge bar or fr'ame 24 is connected to the top of the insulator 22, bel ing rigidly secured thereto, and is connected to the top of insulator 23 by a suitable journal bearing 25, shown in Fig. 4,- wliich connects the top-of the rocking insulator 23 with the crank disc 26 bearing crank pin 27.

This crank pin 27 lis connected to a pitnian Y which in turn is conor :connecting rod 28 bracketfarm to `"each of nected by a suitable the sideilinks 30 which are pivoted upon the These arms or pivot bearing arms. 31. brackets are formed as an integral part of th frame 24. A second pair of links 32, 32 is pivoted on `the bearings 33, 33,V which bearings are also formed on the frame member-24. The'links 32 are shorter than the links 30.l Both sets of links 30 and-32 are pivoted at their forward ends ofthe switch afim 34, the outer end of `which comprises a blade or contact portion35. This blade or contact portion 35' runs back to the pivots 36 and 37, there being side braces 38, 38 secured at their forward ends, as indicated at 39, to themain blade member 35, and connected at their rear ends to the pivots 36 and 37 with suitable counter balancing springs 40 mounted on the pivot rod 36 tending to throw the switch into the dotted lineposition, as shown in Fig. `1. ,i

" The side braces 38 are connected' at their u .ends to the central bar 34 by brackets 41, so that the switch is braced laterally. The pairs of links 30 and 32 are connected to by a post, as indicated at 42 and4'3, to brace the 'operating mechanism ofthe switch. It will now be seen that the sta-` tionary frame `24, the links 30 and 32, 'and the connected' arm 34, comprise a means consisting of four members pivotally connected to eachother in a closed figure, `for moving the 'switch contactV 35 by a plungingV motion from the open 'position as shown i the form of switch shown .of arcing fingers 45, 45 anchored at their dotted lines Fig. 1, to the closed position as shown in full lines.

The movable switch arm 34 carries a pair ends by clamps 46 to the switch bar 34 and having their free ends lformed into loops, as indicated at 47 in Fig. l, these arcing n- `gers lying upon opposite sides of a. stationary arcing finger 48 mountedupon the top plate 49 through the medium of an integral bracket 50. These arcing fingers. 45 are preferably steel rods which lie upon opposite sides of the stationary arcingifinger 48.

The stationary contact is mounted in a housing 51 having a flared guiding opening 52 for guiding the movable contact member into engagement with the jaws 53, These jaws 53, 53-are` connected by flexible braided conductors 54. 54 to the terminal block55, this terminal block having a pair of supporting ears 56, 56 by which it is mounted upon the base 57 of the housing 51. The terminal block 55 also has a rearwardly extending lug or bolting terminal 58 which may be connected vdirectly or indirectly with the series conductor 59,7as shown in Fig. The contact yclip 53 is connected to the lexi ble conductor 54`by means of aA stud 60 which is secured in this contact member 53 and passes through the flexible. conductor 54. A clamping nut 61 is threaded on the stud 60 and it draws the flexible conductor 54 against the contact 53.` At its outer`end where the contact member 53 is flared, the

flexible conductor 54 is connected to the clipI by means of the machine screw 62. stud serves in addition to clamping the flexible conductor 54 to the contact 53, the purpose of guiding the contact 53 upon the outer end of the spring 63.. The spring 63 passes loosely over the end of the stud'60 and then has a cotter pin 64`extend1ng through the end of thestud to keep the spring in place.

In order to guide the. contact clip 53 in line with the spring 63, I provide studs 65 which are secured in the contact clip 53 and extend through the flexible conductor 54 looselythrough holes in the spring 63 guide thc contact clip 53 and yet to permit sullicient lfree motion of theehp 53 to permit it to ad'ust itself to tlfe face of the contact 35 ormng ,the end of the switch blade.v s y The spring 63 is securedat its rear end to the terminal post 55, theV spring thereby serving as a cantilever spring. The sprlng maybe made up of several leaves of ditferent lengths, `as for example, the additional leaves 66 and 67, as shown 1n Fig. 8, all having their rear ends clamped `under the clip 68 and secured to the post o r terminal 55.

The two sides of the contact device are symmetrical and instead of employing a TheA single set ofl springs on each side, the springs may be double on each side, that is, arranged one above the other.

The operation'of the switch thus far described will be apparent. IVhen the movable insulator 23 is rotated on its journal 25 in the bracket 24, the crank pin 27 being eccentric to said journal, 'it 'moves the connecting rod 28- longitudinally of the switch and, as shown inV Fig. 1 moves the rod 28 to the left turning the link 30 :about its pivot on the bracket 31 f vand compelling movement of the links 32 and 34, whereby the movable contact 35 is withdrawn from the contact clips 53 through Aa motion which terminates the position olf/'these parts, las shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. The arcing vlingers 47 leave the arcing contact 48 after the main contact 35 has left the contact clips 53, so that any arc which may be drawn by the switch in opening will be sustained by the auxiliary non-current carrying contact instead of the main contacts 35, 53.

So far the operation of t-he switch'is no different from the operation of other that further opening movement of the switch will not tend to permit re-establishment of -an arc at the main stationary contacts 53, 48. Preferably, the auxiliary contact 70 comprises a short tubular section of metal mounted upon an iron rbd 71, the ends Vof which are secured to a suitablebracketDmem'- ber 72 mounted upon an insulator 73,l th' base of which is supported upon a brackl 74,Y mounted on top ofthe main stationary` i insulator 21. The frame or bracket'72'i's open at its center to receive the arcing contact or horn member 75, Which'extends fdiagonally upwardly from the .bracket 72 for the purpose of forming a horn gap interrupter in case of failure of the switch to function innormal operation.

The bracket 72 is connected in turn a rearwardly' extending frame member 7 6 which supports the fuse magazine frame 77 at its rear end. The bracket member 74, which is mounted upon thestationary insulator 21, supports a frame member 78 which Y is in the shape of a U. Across-the terminals of the U there is connected a bar 79 ofin--- sulating material, and upon this bar of insrulating material there 'are clamped the contact members 80, 81 and, 82, the contact members in turifbeing connected to fuse clips 83, 84 and 85, respectively.' The fuse frame 77 also has `use clips- 86, 87 and 88 corresponding to the .fuse clips 83, 84 and 85 at the lower end, and between these pairs of fuse clips I mount the enclosed carbon tetrachloride fuses now well known in the market. Any other equivalent fuse, or fuse of high interrupting capacity, might beemployed instead. These fuses are preferably of the typey disclosed in my co-pending a'pplication, Serial No.-631,263 tiled April 11, 1923. These fuses are mounted in fuse clips not the type also disclosed in said co-pending application, These fuse clips are characterized by the employment of wire bails 92 which serve to compress the spring blades against the sides of the `errules of the fuses and to hold the fuses against accident-al removal froin the `fusel clips. The fuses which I have described have caps which may 'be blown from the end thereof and such ends are the4` upper ends of the fuses, and in this case the fuses are directed upwardly and to the rear of the switch sothat severe ing of any one of the fuses will notgaiect the-operation of they switch," and the discharge of gases or vapors from such fuses will not affect the l, ain arcing space of the switch. f v

It will befo 'served that the upper tery minalsof'the fuses 89, 90 and 91` arel all connected to the auxiliary fuse contact 70, `and'at the lower ends the fuses are all connected to separate contacts 83, 84 'and 85.

' .These contacts are selected by,w a selector arm 94, the selector armV 9 4 being secured on terminal or clamping lug 55 of the stationaryy a shaft 95 in the bracket member 74 which 1s hollow, and which serves in addition to its function of supportingfthe insulator 73 and the U' shaped frame member 78,' as a housing for the pawl and ratchet mechanism for shifting the selector arm 94.

The shaft 95 has a ratchet wheel 96 secured upon the inner end thereof vand this ratchet wheel 96 is adapted to be engaged by. an operating pawl 97, which 4operating pawl is mounted upon the rocking level'l 98.`

The lever 98 in `turn is pivoted to the p:;h `rod 99, which push rod is guided through the contact mechanism. rl`he push rod 99 is adapted to be engaged by Jthe end of the con-` tact35 when the switch is closed for shifting the selector arm 94 from ,one of the fuse contacts to another fuse contact through the operation ofthe pawl yand ratchet 'mecha-- nism. The pawl 97`-is guided in a suitable guideway 100, shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and is urged into contact with the ratchet wheel 96 by means. of the springlOl. The ratchet wheel 96\is held against return motion by the springpresseddetent 102, which is adapted to offer a predetermined degree of resistblow-Y ance to backward motion of theratchet wheel 96 but to yield .under excessive pressure to permit the selector arm 94 to be returned to its initial or inoperative position-out of contact with members 80, 81 and. 82, shown in u dotted lines in Fig. 6.V The function of the spring pressed. detent 102 is to prevent nor-d mal retrograde motion ofthe ratchet Wheel '96 underthe actionof the pawl 97 when it returns to catch the next tooth. rHowever, when it is desired terJ reset 'the mechanism by providing fresh fuses, the arm 94 must be moved back tothe"init'ial position and ther yielding character of the pawl 102 permits l of this action by forcibly pulling the selector arm 94 from' its advanced position to its initial position. y

. The operation of the mechanism thus far described is as follows/v member 35 forward into engagement with 90' the stationary Contact 53'. "The two divergent arcing lingers 47, are guided upon the stationary arcing ContactV 48, so 'as to` assist in guiding the Contact 35` into place between the contact clips 53. As the switch is closed, the arcing fingers 47 may engage the contact 70, but since the selector arm 94 is in initial position where nome of the fuses are in circuit, the fusejwill not be operated and the switch will vbe closed normally. As the "mov-t 10o able contact 35 is brought into position, it operates the push rod 99 and moves 'the swinging lever v' 98 to operate the pawl 97 to pull the ratchet wheel 96 one step forward.

It is to be'noted thatthe swinging lever 98 105 is normally urged, by a spring 103 into advanced position, so'that when the movable switchf'contact 35 vplunges `between the contact 53 the pawl 97, being in engagement with a tooth of the ratchet wheel, is able to advance'the same one step to bring the selector arm '94 from one position to the next f position. As the switch is thus closed the selector arm 94 is brought from the zero or initial position to the first Yposition for' in-F 116 cluding th'e first fuse 91 into circuit. Thereafter, assume that the switch is tobe opened i to interrupt the fiow of current. The rocking insulator 23 is actuated to pull up on the connectingrd 28. It is to be observed that 12D l when the switch is closed the'crank arm and I connection rod 28 form a toggle which is then substantially'straightso as to prevent* `accidental blowing open of the switch by rits own magnetic forces.

As the'switch moves to open position the Contact is first interrupted at the main contact, then at the arcing contacts 48; 47, and thereafter the Varcing contacts r47 vengage thel auxiliary Contact 70, which is connected to. 130

. insure that after the yarci'ng.contacts 47 have been brought intoenggementwith the aux- .10 i switch will'. be ral-.vid and i uninterrupted, soi

i 'that lthere will be y the arc after the n throu" h the auxiliary fuse circuit. y.

ig.-.2 I have provided ajdiagram k'of i illustrates themode f 913.1A

Y connections which n eration of the switch shown in -'switchblade member is indicated at104fand Iwhenfitfi's closeditmakes contact normally '.Withntheastationary ycontacts 53, leading di'- conductor 59. Upon opens rectly :the vthird iliary contact 70, that'further motion ofthe now'tendencyto re-'establish circuit has once been made Fig-1. The

ing movement, 'they switch member 104 is first sufficiently moved from the stationaryv conf' tactfto tend todestroy reformation of ano V`arc"betwe'en-'said members 104 and 53 and then the switchmember 104 is brought into contact with the auxiliary contactA 70 and through one ofi the 'fuses 89, 90 or 91, as vdetermined bye` the selector member94.v

Obviously a single fusemay be employed "and after each operation of the switch the'v f fuse may be changed. I have illustrated the fuse magazine and the plurality of fuses merely .to indicate kthat the operation of-the switch is not dependent upon renewing'the 'fuse foreach operation of the switch.

, Since the fuse has a high current interrupting capacity it Willinterrupt the flow of current quickly with very little arcing and it is, therefore, necessary to separate the main contacts a distance great enough to prevent immediate reformation of the arc, the opening of the switch of my invention being accompanied by very little arcing. The continued movement of the switch after switching in the fusebreaks the fuse circuit as Well as the switch circuit itself, so that even ifa fuse should fail to operate, the switch will properly open the circuit. D

Since this is true, I may make the fuses of a capacity relatively great so that theyV will not be called upon to break-the circuit unless the How of current is of a character which would be diicult to break at.

the air contact. For example, the fuses may be set to blow at 100 ampers. Normal opening of the switch with normal load below 100 amperes would be easily performed by the switch operating as an air break switch. If the switch were opened on short circuit -or excessive flow of current due to some other cause, in 'addition to the air break occurring at the main co1)tact,.thcy

liquid` quenched break in the fuse being in series with the manvcontact would upon the switch structure, vat any position either-adjacent or Lremote of my invention is c -rapid motion,

interrupting 'the fldw of current even if the same were of a acter.v

relatively high. chary TheI proper sequence of events may. be

vfuse -is subject to current flow, no vappreciableloss will be occasioned by use of the Same.

The fusie or fuses need not be mounted but may be placed where it is convenient to replace them.

It will vnow be ap arent that the switch abnormalv orI interlmpting circuit, which comprises an' automatic currentinterrupting d evice such as the carbon tetrachloridel aracterized by av nor- ...mal metalllc low resistance clrcuit an'd an.

fuse 1n series with an air break mechanism,

as Vis clear from the diagram'of14`ig. 2..y i

These two interrupting elements., namely,

the automatic liquid quenched fuseand thel air break switch operate simultaneously and so that there is ob# tained the eiect of .multiple breaks-,gone L.of

in series with each other,

which'vbreaks at least is, liquid quenched.

It will alsopbe apparent to those skilledin the art that the relation of thev movable and stationary contacts may be Sired. For example,"` in Fig.` 2.4, lIllave in dicated a stationarycontact 107"adapted to be engaged'by a switch blade 106 which normally carries .the current yiiow andfwhich has attached'to it'an auxiliary blade 108 with an insulatingi'section'fcarrylng afuse 109, which /may ofthe fsame character as I- have previously described, namely, a. carbon `tetrachloride fuse; y. i

The two blades 106 and -108 are in this case connected together so that when the blade 106 moves away from the contact 1,07 during normalpopening of the switch, an arc may form between said contact 107 and the switch blade 106, but continued motion of the switch blade 106 carries the blade` 108 into colitact with the stationary contact 107, thereby extinguishing the arc between contact 107 and switch blade 106 andv directing the current flow through the fuse 109, the blade 108 continuing in its motion to ldraw away from the contact 107, so that the two breaks, y amely, the air break and the liquid quench d break are in series with each other asth switch opens.'

As above explained, it is desirable that the switch after once starting to move to open position should .continue with a relatively 'l maybe employed, for example, in the vertical operating rod by which one or more switches ofthe character shown in Fig. 1 are Operated in .unison as, for example, three and to this end a spring recoil A switches in arthree phase system, be formed in two sections 110 and 111 witlra spring cage and catch member 112 mounted on the section'110,this cage having a circular shoulder 113 which is cau ht by a swinging awl 114-xed on a 'suita le abutment 115,.

` he lower section of the rod'has a spring controlled plunger ll'secured to the upper end thereof. Between the plunger 116 and ther bottom of the cage 112 there is confined a compression 4 spring 117 which normallyv I vholds the sections 110 and' 1110i the operating rod together in unison. The plunger 116 has a trip member 118 projecting out through a slot in the case 112 and this trip finger 118 sadapted to engage a co-operating trip member 119 on the upperend ot the pawl 114. As aresult, the rod sectionlll may be drawn down putting the spring 117 under compression while the rod section 110 to which the switch mechanism proper is connected remains stationary. .This actionis carried to a point where the'spring is compressed almostrto its limit and then the trip 118v engages the nose of rthe pawl at 119, throwing the pawl 114 out 4of engagement with the shoulde `113 and thereby releasing the upper rod section 110 to permit the recoil of the spring 117 to `throw the switch to completely open position. 1

Obviously, a. quick *breakmechanism of this character may be employed on Leach in- 'dividualswitch in the case of separate or individually operated switches, but where *.85 there are gang switches the quick throw` mechanism shouldbe connected in a common operating rod' lfor operating all of the switches substantially simultaneously.

I vshall now refer to the -ks'econd embodimeint of my invention in-which the fuse and its contact instead of being stationary as shown in the diagram of Fig. 2 is relatively Vmovable, as indicated in the diagram of Fig. 2,4., `In this case the switch is mounted upon a suitable -base 120 through insulators 121 and 122, the insulator 121 having a hinge contact123-mounted thereuponythis hinge contactJ having the main switch blade 125 pivoted thereupon. The insulator 122 bears the split/contact 124 orengaging with the free end of the blade 125.

A pairJ .of gliiding and locking horns 126 `rare mounted adjacentthe 'split contact/124 for guiding the main switch blade 125 into logrtact with itsV co-operatin'g split contact The arcing. contactv126,126 has at each -side, that'is',"'at each horn, a shoulder member 127 which extends'towards the hinge contact 12.3 for the purpose of holding the' l "auxiliary-or quick breakP blade 128wh1chisr pivoted to. the -mainblade 125..

The.auxiliary or quick .S hmgedl-at. its' rear "endon'the screw 129 to the-swmgmgloop 130 whch is pivoted P011 break blade 128 is the rod may the main blade 125 adjacent v.its rear `end.v

The auxiliary blade 128 is connected electrically to the main blade 125 by a flexible copper braided strap 131 and mechanically the two blades are connected together through the spring v132, one end of which is looped aboutthe pin 133 upon each side of the' arcing blade 128 and the central part of which spring extends' over theA top of the main blade 125, p part being heldin a notch inthe blade 125 by means of the screw helical coils as indicated at 136 'upon each side of the mainfblade 125. The. structure 'of the spring132 permits pivoting of the arcing blade,128 about the screw 129 and also permits endwise motion of the blade '128, the loop' 130 serving as a guide for the same. This endwise movement of the blade 129 isjdesirablefwhen the switch is closed to permit the pin 1137 to slide along the tapered edge of the catch or detent 127 and then to be projected under the shoulder of the same. The main blade 12,5 has an operating eye 138 pivoter] on a cross pin 139, this) operating eye having a hook extension 140 beyond thepivot 139 with a suitable notch 141 for engaging a pin 142 which is mounted crosswise in the arcing blade 128. A pair of stop pins 143 and 144 ilimit the motion of the eye and its lconnected hook member 140. vA spring 145, which is coiled about the pin 4139, normally urges the hook member 140 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 11, to cause the slot 141 to catch the pin 142.

as indicated at 134. this- 135 and there being'.

3 ico The operation of the switch thus far dee scribed is as follows Assuming that'the switch 'is in closedposiy tion as Viewed in Fig. 11, the main blade 125 is pivoted on the hinge contact- 123 and is embraced bythe split Contact 124. vThis i nain blade also lies between'the arcin'g and guiding horns 126. The arcing blade 128 has its pin 137 'caught' under the shoulder 127 and othe forward end of Vthis blade is engaged by a Contact spring 146, this contactv spring being rivetedat its upper endfas in dicated at 147, to the arcing horn 126 upon" each side of the auxiliary blade 128. Since the auxiliary blade128 is locked by the detent 127 and sincze the -main blade is locked f to the auxiliary blade 128 tlrough the hook member 140 and pin 142, it Will be seen that the switch is lthereby locked in closed 'position. f

. If, now, the operator wishes .to. o n.. the.V

ting hook is inserte lin the switch. the op ey'e 138 and the' eye is moved to the left as viewed inFig.- 11, thereby releasing the hook` member 140from the pin 142.V Thereupon, `the main blade` may be moved out ofthe split contact 124,`as indicated in dtted lines in Fig. 11, the arcing bladeJ or quick break blade 128.1'emaining in contact through theing blade 128 in a counter clockwise direction up into ,its normal position where the pin 142 is caught by the hook 140, as is illustrated in the dotted line position shown in Fiszl.,

The switch break mechanism which I have described is novel per se, and so is the lock which I have described. These mechanisms aie combined, however, with the carbon tetrachloride 'use of the character previously described for the purpose of causing the actual break ore the greater part thereof to- .occur within the fuse while. themain parts 'bracket shown at 152 in Fig. 13, the oppositev vleg 153iof which extends outside of the outer leg ofthe bracket 149. vThe bracket 149 has ether, with the shaft or pivot pin 155 ei:-

its otlierleg 154 adjacent-the leg 1530i the 'bracket 152,950 that-.said bracket 149 is `conr fined between the 'blade 125 on one side and l the'opposite leg of the bracketl 153 on the 1,tendin through all of these parts and beingr pirmev as indicated at 156, to the plate 151 i of bracket 152. The bracket 149 has an ex.

tensioh- 157 to which is bolted the fuse carry-1 ing bladef148, this blade being alstrip ofv fibre` for other lsuitable insulating material fandhavngelamped at its forward endy a bracket member 158 which has alorwardly apparent.

j extending contact member 159, preferably {fox-med vof a piece ofrolled copper for extending thelbracket 158 forward to Jerigage the 'U shapedflat-spring 160. The bracket `155 having a helical'spring 169 coilediabout the same and y'havingr its ends anchored in* the bracket members 152 and 149, respectively, tending to hold the auxiliary blade 148 away from the main blade 125, that is, tending to move the auxiliary blade 148 with its'fuse 164 in a clockwise direction with re- 'spectlto the" main blade 125, as viewed in Fig. 11. The flat'loop spring 160 is in electrical connection with the split contact 124 This' contact member 159 and to'hold the same against lateral displacement. The arm 175 of the spring 160 engages the end of the c ontact 159 .and holdsfit in contact electrically 'and mechanically until the main Ablade with its arcing 'contact have been moved a suffiynotched or slotted to receive the Aend of the cient distance to prevent rie-establishment of the arc at the main contact 'afterblowing of theJ fuse 164. The continued motion of the main switch blade then opens the vauxiliary blade '148 with its fuse. U

The operation ofthe' switch will now be When the main blade '125 is opened` the arcing blade-'128 lingersin contact with the arcing horns 126 and the spring 146 untilthe blade has reached a position where there is no danger of re establishing the are, whereupon the arcing or quick break blade 128 is snapped upwardly by the spring 132,y throwing the fuse 164 into the circuit, and continued movement of the main blade causes the auxiliary blade 148 with its contact 159 tomove away from the spring contact 160 to interpose a suitable space or air gap between the two parts \of the switch. y

The side members 150 and 154 of the the {emule-'163 will not yaffect the1 contacts ini l 159 and 160, nor the main contacts 124 and 1190 '.55 member 158 in addition to being bolted to the 195 4.insllating blade 148hasia laterally extendy ing` portionl 161 which bears the fuse clip 162 Ifv the Switch is 10Std unae'rfiaaa- .when f.

for engaging the lferr'ule 163 of the fuse 164.

' -The`opposite fel-rule 165 of the fuse 164is vNllmouinted:in.a fuse clip166 which in turn is.

mounted upon a laterally extending arm167 integraljwith the bracketmember 149. v

g The'extens'ion 157 on the bracket 149 has anin sto nger i168 reaching `under -blad 125, the hingemay be sutflciitA to blow the fuse', the'fuse' is not inserted in its mounting on the aux: iliary blade until afterf the switch is closed. If desired, a small ampere capacity fuse may be inserted on the mounting on the auxiliary ow vwhen the switch is closed. This is an important feature ofthe invention, particularly for installations"V where the switch is not to be closed under conditions where cnrrent will flow upon such closing. If the fuse blows it furnishes lin such installations an indication that, the switch should not4 b e closed. t Y I AIn vthe modification which I have above described, namely, where the fuse is mounted upon the auxiliary b-ladethe fuse is con,

nected back in `parallel with the main blade 125 upon'closing of the switch, so thatV clos` ing of,V the switch may be caused While the fuse is thus shunted and without danger of blowing` the same. v v Y c yIt will beapparent froml the foregoing that I have provided in both forms apair of main contactswhich normally carry the current and which' are adapted tobe separated for breaking th'e'current flow, the iirs't result of which is to' switch in a fuse 'of` highv current interrupting capacity, the circuit thronghwhich is then brokenvby an air break secured by further opening movement. of the main switch blade.,

While inthe constructions shown in Figs. 11 to 18 the fuse is thrown immediately into circuit A'whenthe arcing blade or -quick break blade 128 opens, it will be apparent that the fuse Contact 159 may be brought into engagement with the pair of opposed spring contact 180, shown in Fig. 19 which Y may replace spring 160 and bracket 17 3, after the quick break Pof the main blade has started to open thevcircuit. y 4 c Normally, in the switch shown in Fig. 11, the quick break releases when the main blade lis, substantially at position towards its fully open position. jThisfcuse blade begins to yopen substantially at the time that the I quick break blade releases.` The fuse blade travels with the main blade for substantially the rest o f the movement of the main blade after about the iirst 45. p

I do notV intend to be limited to the` details'shown and described. f

I claim 1,'The method of interrupting currentl How through a' switch having a relatively stationary and a relatively movable ycontact which comprises moving the movable con-l tact Afrom the stationary contact, connecting .a fuse lof high current interrupting capacity across the break between said con,A tacts and thereafter continuing the movement ofthe movable contact toseparate it further from the stationary Contact and tol disengage it from the fuse.

2. The method of interrupting current How which comprises conducting the current flow through a pair` of relatively separable contacts, separating 'said contacts to draw an arc, bridging the arc with a current .interrupting lrupting capacity, then -further separatingeviceof relatively high inter- `ration thereof, and means` position, an auxiliary .engaged by the Iarcing. finger when 'the said contacts' and simultaneously disengaging said circuit interrupting means. l 3. In combination, a pa'ir of relatively movable switch contacts, a fuse having a fuse Contact at one terminal and having the other terminal connected permanently to onc of said switch contacts, means for separating said vswitch contacts by a relatively continuons movement, the separation of sai-d switch contacts lirst throwing the fuse in circuit and then by continuous movement disconnecting the fuse contact.

4. In' combination, a pair of switch contacts, means for separating said contacts over a definite path, a fuse connected permanently to one ofcsai'cl contacts and having a contact lying at a delinite point of said path of sepa.

ration tobe engaged by'fand thereafter disconnected from one oisaid switch contacts.

5. In combination, a pair of relatively separable main switch contacta means for separating said contacts Aby a substantially continuous movement, a fuse adapted to be connected across said contacts upon the sepafor separating said Y fuse at one end from both of said contacts.

6. In combination, two switch contactsT a fuse having one end connected to one-of the switch'contacts, means to connect the other end of the vfuse to the other switchib'n tact when lthe switch starts'to open, and means for moving one ,of said switch contacts rela# tive to the other to open the switch and to cause the fuse to be disconnected. y Y 7.In combination, a painof switch on- `tacts, means for moving one of the switch contacts relative to theV other,

a fuse adapted to be connected across said switch contacts when they start to open for interrupting the current How, said movable switch contact 'being adaotedto have motion to separate the contacts after the current low'is interrupted atsaidfuse. 4 v

8. In-.combination, a "stationary switch contact, a movable switch contact, said movable switch contact having an arcing finger for taking the arc between the 6stationary contact andthe movable switch conswitch has moved Pto partially open position, and a vfuse of high current interrupting and means for moving thel a. predetermined open,

`stationary contact'meinber, amovable switch member having a contactv and an '.arcing fingeran auxiliary contact and anvupwardl'y' exten ing horn connected thereto, said movable member being adapted to move to a predetermined open position so that the arcing v ing continued separation-ot theconta'cts, and

thereafter further separating the contactsand breaking the circuit through the fuse',

tinge` and the movable member-will form a co-operating horn for extinguishing an areV between said members, and an automatic' liquid uenched circuit breaking member coni'iected etween the auxiliary contact-and the main stationary contact.

f 11. stationary contact', a movable contact, and an auxiliary stationary contact connected 'to the main stationary contact, andan automatic liquid quenched circuit breaker in said con-` nection, said auxiliary contact being engagedl by the movable contact aftenthe Same has moved when the movable contact is in a posi- .tion suliiciently remote fromthemain stationary contact to prevent re-establishment of an'arctherewith.

12.. In combination, a stationary contact,

ya movable switch member normally engaging said stationarycontact, means forV moving the movable switch contact, a fuse, means for connecting the fuse between the movable switch contactand the stationary switch contact when the movable switch contact is in -partl openposition, vand means for break- 'ing t e connection with the'fuse when the' 'main movable switch contact is moved further' towards its open position.

13. In combination, a switch comprising a ustationary contact, a movable Contact, a

plurality offuses, an auxiliary contact adapted to be engagedby themovable contact when the switch is open, and means gov- ..erned by operation of the switch for selectively connecting` the fuses in circuit with :said anxiliary contact.

14, In combination, .aswitch 4comprising astationary contact member,ga movable contact-member, an auxiliaryycoiitact member, of fuses adapted to be connected between' t by operationof the main switch.

-15. In combination, a switch having a stationary contact member, a 'movable contact member, an ,auxiliary contactl member, a plurality of fuses, and means controlled by opconnecting the fuses successively between the auxiliary Vcontact member andone of said main switch members.

n combination, a switch comprisinga" e'auxiliary contact` and .the main stationary contact, means 'for selectively connecting said fuses, said means being governed further separating the contacts and breaking the circuit through the fuse.

Aa continuous operation.

of a current through 4apair -wliich comprises l'se-ptiratinfg-fth 17. rI-lie method of interrupting the flow of a current through a pairof contacts which comprises separating the 1 contacts,

,connecting afusc-of relativelyhigh inter- A separation of they contacts, and thereafter i rupting capacity in series in the circuit durthe severalsteps mentionedztakin'g 18.".The method of interruptihg connectinga fuse of"rela-tivelyfliighinter-` rupting `capacity in seriesinfthefcircuit duif` ingy continued separation"ofjtliejcontact and thereafter further separating thef .coii tactsand breakingthe cirlc'i'iitthrough. vthe fuse, the several steps 'mentioned takingr place as a. continuous operatioifil andv thei'feb'e-- l ing relativevmovement between onelof the;

disconnecting theJ contacts andthe fuse' for fuse from thecir'c'uit. f

19. Inl combination,` a'MsWitc-h'contact,v ai

fuse connected at one end of: saidy contact, a fuse contact connected to-the other'end otthe fuse, andrasecond-switch contact, there being relative movement between-*the contacts for opening and closing the switch contacts, said second Contact upon opening thereof being moved successively out of operative relation to the lirstswitch cont-act,

into operative relation to the fuse contact to` introduce the fuse intothe circuit, and then out of operative relation to the fuse contact. 7

20. In combination, two switch contacts. having relative movement; a fuse connected l at one end to one of the contacts, and means for connecting the fuse in series in the circuit by the act of opening the contactsto a predetermined extent, the 'fuse being disconnected from the circuit by continued opening of the contacts.

21. The methodfofinterruptingitheflow of current through a pair ofv contacts which comprises, se aratingthel contacts, connect- )ing a means aving a relatiyely'high arc ineration of .themovable switch member for Y ing means terruptiig capacity in series in the circuit by continue thereafter further separating the contacts to separationy of the contactsg'and' produce a gap between thecontacts Aandnsaid' means.

current through a pair of contacts which comprises, separating Jthe contacts, connectterrupting capacity in series in the circuit by aving a. relatively high arc in- 22. The method of interrupting the i;

continued separation 'of the contacts,` and thereafter further separating the contacts produce a gap between the contacts and said Y 65 said switch contacts.

. c means, the several steps mentioned taking place as'a continuous operation.

23. The combination, in a` circuit interlrupter having main and auxiliary stationary and movable Contact members,l of a separate supported contact member adaptedI to engage the movable auxiliary contact member before the said movable auxiliary Contact member comes into engagement with the stati'onary auxiliary contact member. Y

f '24. The combination, in acircuit interrupter having main and auxiliary stationary and movable contact `members, of a separate supported contact member' adapted to engage the movable auxiliary contact member before the said movable auxiliary contact member lcomes into` engagement with the station ary auxiliary contact member during the switch closin movement, said separate contact member ecoming disengaged from the movable contact member during the switch opening movement only after its disengagement fromthe stationary auxiliary contact member.

rupter havin' main and auxiliary stationary contact mem ers, of a separate y'mounted stationary contact member, af main bridging member, andvan auxiliary movable contact member that successively engages the vmountf Ved'contact member and the stationary auxil` iary contact member.

26. The method of interrupting current flow through a switbh having a relatively n stationary and a relatively movable contact,

which comprises moving the movable con-A tact from the stationary contact, connecting a current interrupting device of high 1nterrupting capacity across the break between 40 said contacts and thereafter continuing the movement'of the movable contact to separate it further from the stationary contact and to disengage it from the device.

27. In combination, a pair of relatively movable switch contacts, an' automatic current flow interrupting devicehaving two terminals, one of which'is connected permanent- 'ly to one of the switch contacts and the other of which is a free terminal, disposedsubst'anj tially in the path of movement of the other` Y rupting device of high interrupting capac-k ity connected permanently to one of said con- Y tacts and having a contact l ing atna definite oint of said pathrof separation to be engaged y and thereafter disconnected from one of 25. The' combination, in a` circuitl intering the Vcontacts and breaking the circuit a through the device,'the several steps mentioned taking place as .a continuous operation. 30. In combination, twoswitch contacts lhaving relative movement, an automatic current flow extinguishing device connected at one end to one of the contacts, and means for connecting the device in series in the circuit by the act of opening the contact to a predetermined extent, the device being disconnected from the circuit by continuous opening of the contact.4

3l. A switching mechanism comprising a pair of circuitconnections, three contacts for vone ot the circuit connections, said contacts comprising contacts 49, 48 and 70, an automatic current flow interrupting device comprising a chamber in which an arc is adapted to be drawn, said chamber having arc extinguishingmeans of relatively high ca acity, said device connecting contact 7 0 wit the said one-circuit connection, movable means having two contacts, namely, contacts 35 and 47, associated'with the other of said circuit connections, said movabley contact 35 cooperating with vcontact 49 to constitute the main contacts of the switching mechanism, said contacts 35 and 49 being arranged to close last and open first in the operation of the mechanism, contact 47 co-o erating with contacts 48 and ,70 in successlon upon the opening of the main contact.

32. In combination, avmain stationary 'contact, a first auxiliary stationary contact, a

second auxiliary stationary contact, lan element of high current interrupting capacity adapted to be automatically operated by current ltlow therethrough connecting the second auxiliary contactwith the main contact, a main movable contact adapted to cooperate with the main stationary contact, an auxiliary movable contact cooperating successively with the' said first auxiliary stationary contact `and then with the second auxiliary stationar contact, said' auxiliary movable contactrawing an arc between itself and the first auxiliary contact and carrying the moving end of the arc to the second auxiliary stationary contact to connect the arc in vparallel with said element and to connect the auxiliary movable contact in series with said element, said auxiliary movable contact being thereafter separated from the A second auxiliary stationar contact. 33. The method of brea ing current flow in an air break switch which comprises,sep arating in air a pairfof switch contacts to ldraw an arc, shunting said arc with'a current n 1796-11 I t l l interrupting device of high interrupting capacity, connecting said device in series relation between said contacts while the are being separated, breaking the flow o current v. between said contacts in the said device and separating one of said contacts from said device. 34.v The method of breaking current flow through a switch which comprises, conveyin lo the flow of current to be interrupted throug a pair of contacts, separating in air said contacts, ermittin the current flow to form an arc, s unting t e arc with a current interrupting device of high interrupting capacity,l 15 conducting the ow of current which forms the arc in series through the device breaking in said device ,the How of current between said contacts, and .interposing' a protective air gap between one of said contacts and said zo device to prevent reestablishment of an arc.

35. The method of interrupting current dow through a pair of switch contacts which comprises, separating the contacts while current flow continues, lnterposing in circuit beu tween the contacts a current interru ting de- 4vice of high current interrupting a ility, interrupting the current flow in the said device, and interposing a protective air gap between one of the contacts andsaid device.

3e In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th da of A ril, 1929.

-NICHOLAS CO 

